Barry Callebaut has introduced a range of premium chocolate under its domestic Van Leer brand for the North American market.

Van Leer Gold is made with unsweetened Belgian chocolate liquor and natural Madagascar bourbon vanilla.

It is designed for onfectioners, bakers, pastry chefs and restaurant chefs in North America.

"Van Leer Gold brings together the American tradition of chocolate with the heritage and manufacturing techniques perfected by Europeans for centuries," said Parveen Werner, director of marketing for Barry Callebaut Americas.

"Today's chefs are looking for a high-quality chocolate that offers distinct fineness, flavor and versatility, and they'll find that in the new Van Leer Gold products."

Van Leer Gold chocolate comes in wafer form and is available in Bel Noir couvertures, which is dark chocolate, and Bel Lactee couvertures, which is milk chocolate.